The Algorithm

Polymorphic Code

[11/19/12]
[Basick Records]

A palatable crossover between electronic music and metal is hard to come by. Both genres are known for their array of hair-splitting subgenres and elitism among rabid enthusiasts, so when the two worlds clash, it can lead to some very polarizing output. Though, French producer Remi Gallego may have just stumbled upon a suitable combination, juxtaposing trance-inducing synth leads against complex and driving groove and attack with his experimental project The Algorithm.

The Algorithm’s debut album Polymorphic Code is where djent’s polyrhythmic percussive striations clash with a myriad of electronic genres, ranging from the hypnotic arpeggios of trance, the glitch-laden mathematics of IDM, and the gritty rumbling bass of dubstep to create an unlikely avant-garde godsend for open-minded progressive metal fans. The entire spirit of The Algorithm makes itself immediately known as the atmospheric introduction builds and bursts into a spastic freakout of guitars and synth in opening track ‘Handshake.’ Elsewhere, aggressive mosh-worthy breakdowns give way to chill atmospheric dub loops and back again in album centerpiece ‘Access Granted.’

Really, Polymorphic Code often acts as the electronic parallel of progressive metal. Transcribe the bouncing angular leads to guitar, and much of this record would sound right at home with the djent, progressive, and tech metal genres. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why prog label Basick Records were eager to sign The Algorithm and were confident enough to market this project to metal fans, billing the act (rounded out by live drums from Monuments skinsman Mike Malyan) alongside Chimp Spanner and Uneven Structure — not just because they’re label-mates, but because they all embody the same forward-thinking attitude and spirit. Polymorphic Code is a testament to that fact, as it stands as a lone shining anomaly in its environment.

As great as Polymorphic Code is though, brilliant ideas often come and go without being given adequate airtime before being shuffled out for the track’s next movement, which makes finding hooks across the record difficult on initial listens. The Algorithm was built on forward-thinking principles, but there’s nothing wrong with being mindful of song structure and giving the songs’ best moments room to breathe and build into something that isn’t merely the “next stop” on a lost train of thought. Polymorphic Code is quite an engaging listening experience, but due to odd structure, there isn’t a lot for takeaway for first-time listeners.

However, Polymorphic Code is an ambitious and risky album, at the end of the day. The odd-ball melding of genres is often hit-and-miss — especially considering how close-minded some fans of either genre can be — but The Algorithm makes major strides in showing that metal and electronic music can find themselves at a crossroads and be in good company. It wouldn’t be at all shocking if Polymorphic Code becomes a seminal record and sparks further developments in the melding of metal and electronic music genres. Should such a thing happen, hopefully they’ll be as good as Polymorphic Code, which presents the idea with earnest and sincerity instead of pretense and grandeur.

The Algorithm – Polymorphic Code gets…

3.5/5

– JR

Share this:

Not sure why you rated this so low when it seems you enjoyed it and considered it accomplished and innovative. Yeah, I know a 3.5 is technically above average, but let’s face it, a 50% (or 2.5) review in the world or reviews = shit, not average.

Anyway, I’ve listened to this through abut 3 times and I’m getting new things from it every listen. Complex, INNOVATIVE, and eminently enjoyable. 5/5

http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com Alkahest

3.5 is still considered a great album by our scores. Really, it’s more of the words that matter than the arbitrary scoring system.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=719325572 Jeffrey Dean

Fair enough

cygnus

As someone who has recently returned to metal after a two year dubstep and electronica binge, I felt like The Algorithm was made for people like me. I personally see a lot of overlap between the two genres and their capacity for deep and aggressive, as well as progressive songwriting. That being said, I think I understand the unspoken reality that this review is getting at: Polymorphic Code is really awesome in principle, but the formula still needs rethinking at this point in time. I listened to the stream that was posted earlier today and I enjoyed many songs, but at many times it really does just sound like the equivalent of electronic wank over boring open note guitar arpeggiations. Granted this is his debut album so there is that factor as well.

I agree with your overall sentiment that the album is special and forward thinking, but at the same time its also basically how you described it, hit and miss. That’s why I agree with both the words of your review and your score of 3.5. The written review should serve to clarify the album’s place and meaning in the context of the larger scope that surrounds it, and the numerical score should render an objective judgment on the quality of the album itself. The writing and the score don’t always need to point to identical conclusions, and that’s a subtle dichotomy that many review-readers don’t always understand. Needless to say I think your review is spot on and informative.

If he put more effort into the guitar side of the fusion, I think Remi could have something really special on his hands. If he had a lead guitarist I can only image what he could do. Real riffs with glitchy percussion and electronic flair, unison leads and guitar/synth solos, my mind is running wild with ideas. I will certainly accept Polymorphic Code for what it is, but I’m looking forward to bigger and better things from The Algorithm after this.

Disinformasiya

Good points made there. I can’t shake the comparisons, both ingrained and potential, to Genghis Tron. With their hiatus, there’s a massive gap in the market that The Algorithm could and probably will fill. Definitely one to watch.

http://www.oculusinfernus.com/ Professor D. Grover the XIIIth

You do not waste time in getting your reviews posted, good sir. I have listened to this album twice thus far, and have found that I rather enjoy it, in spite of the fact that it is at its core a djent album, minus the guitars. I cannot specify why, however. Perhaps it is because that, for what is ostensibly a djent album, it is more creative and interesting than most.

Guiczr

I wasn’t expecting such a great album! Really innovative, although some parts brings to mind a little of Amogh Symphony, which is not a bit bad.

brutal_sushi

This album has a lot of re-playability… I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did… ‘Access Granted’ is a fucking monster…